In this section we print you opinions and letters on the Foot and Mouth controversy.

Closed Restaurants only annoyed Supporters of Chinese food
Let me say, that I support your campaign against scapegoating the Chinese community in regard to the Foot and Mouth epidemic. The Chinese community are clearly not responsible and as you say some of the press reporting has surely been biased and designed to stir up racism.

But I do question one of your actions in pursuit of this cause. I turned up in Soho yesterday to meet with friends over dim sum. When we arrived, we found all the Chinese restaurants were closed. This did not leave us feeling particularly well disposed towards the restaurateurs. (I might add that 50% of the parties were of Chinese origin - and they were equally unimpressed). I very much doubt that any of your enemies were inconvenienced by this action - they are presumably part of the 40 % that have stopped eating in Chinese restaurants. However, your friends were. This strikes me as a very funny way of pursuing your aims. And if it is likely that we are to be faced by similar action in the future, its more than likely that we just won't bother making the tube journey into the westend for Sunday lunch.

Simon Humphries

"An Englishman" thinks stereotypes are ok
I have just visited your site for the first time and have been very perplexed by what I have read. Far from offering comfort support and advice to those Chinese living in Britain it would appear from many of your articles that you wish to promote and increase racial disharmony.

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MAFF RESEARCH
Many thanks for the much needed and successful demonstration on Sunday.

 What concerns me is the further research that Brown has mentioned and I would like to ask the following questions:
 What is the research design and have we reviewed it for flaws;
 What are its objectives and what will it actually prove;
 What is the research methodology;
 How independent is it;
 What security has been taken to ensure that the samples are valid and not tampered with
 What alternative transmission routes are there

I am concerned that:
 the swill tested is not the swill eaten at the time the outbreak arose;
 how can the Chinese element of the swill be identified;
 can cross contamination arise from other elements in the swill or from the containers;
 the conditions/farmyards of processing and feeding, as we have seen on TV are medieval;
 there is not a secure audit train/chain from collection of the scraps from restaurants to consumption

The validity of the research must be carefully scrutinised from all angles so that they do not jump to a conclusion which blames the Chinese community. Be aware of faulty logic. Do we have any scientists in the community to ensure the strength of our case ?

Good luck,
Phil

Protest march
the organisers should be lauded for marching in protest against the the uncalled for slur on the chinese restaurants.
Dennis Aw.

Transparency in the Food Procurement by Chinese takeaway and Restaurant
Many years ago - the local council wanted to know exactly what the patrons get for the chow mein or fattyspring roll' or poh piah/Choon kin that goes in the end product.

We never came to know the outcome of that furore then in the 1970's -

It is evident that there is some known smuggling of -meat - into UK and official investigation in progress. It is not un-assuming for some of us Chinese folks to know that procurement of 'stuff' for the restaurant trade needs more transparency for quality which invariably is a great factor of PRICE and COST and it is the lowest cost to the restaurnuer that often prevails for MAX profit unlike the kwai lo chef who is known to favour quality.

It is cited that as long as it is available in the open market - it is justify to pay the lowest price for the meat. Now your people has cast doubt on the competency of Custom to check the smuggled/illegal meat but we have seen such 'illegal' meat available for sale in UK AND unfortunately there is a link to Chinese Restaurant and Takeaway shop. Surely the Chinese restaurant and takeway shop can display where they procure the meat and eliminate suspicion and it was reported that TRIAD is involved.

In Singapore we prosecute these smugglers and many were caught in their attempt to sell cheap illegal smuggled meat that may endanger lives here on the Island Republic. Demonstrate the integrity of these Chinese food shop.

Here the Enviroment Ministry is really strict in food handling and fresh food is strictly 'controlled' and monitored as well as we have become so sensitive to bad food in the form of food 'poisoning' and end with diarrhea and fever. While you fight to demand proofs and evidence that lead publicity to our community , I would like to see what is the standard of food handling and food preparation within the food trade in UK.

WE CAN THEN STAND TALL until this is an established fact, there will always be this risk of being blame. Surely there are a few bad sheeps in the food trade and now is the appropriate time to weed them out. See the standards here in Singapore for guidance .

Henry Tan

DID A STOLEN VIRUS POISON U.K. FARMS?
The following info may not be new to you but I give it to you just in case otherwise. I support you!
David
"DID A STOLEN VIRUS POISON U.K. FARMS?... A test tube containing the foot-and-mouth virus went missing from a top secret laboratory two months before the outbreak was first reported, the SUNDAY EXPRESS is planning to report... MORE..." from: http://www.drudgereport.com/

Thanks
I would like to thank you for organising the demonstration, it was most successful. I would like to ask you if you could organise another demonstration to the US Embassay to complain about the way they are treating the incident of the downed planes. I feel that it was intirely their fault and they should apoligies imediately. I know it may be a lot to ask but please consider it.
Thank you again.
Jeff Lee, Cranleigh

Message of solidarity from York
It is disgraceful that government departments and ministers have stooped to use racism to try and divert criticism from themselves.

We held a protest outside MAFF's offices in York on Friday evening to demonstrate our solidarity with Britain's Chinese community in the face of this vile attempt at scapegoating.

We hope there is a massive turnout for the demonstration on Sunday.

Best wishes from York Socialist Alliance.

Frank Ormston Socialist Alliance prospective parliamentary candidate,
City of York

Other Ethnic Groups also support the Chinese.
As another Asian (pakistani) living in UK I fully sympathise with the Chinese community on how the British "Free" and "Un-Biased" Press are quick to stereotype and demonize foreign cultures, religions and ideologies. The recent incident of destruction of statues by Taliban was a prime example how quickly the British Press take an opportunity to destroy foreigners.

I feel the Chinese community has been hard done by the allegations of foot and mouth originating from their environment. There is no such thing as "Free Press" in this country, it is 100% biased and geared towards protecting British heritage.

The recent bombing of Iraq by UK/US was a prime example of how little the press care about reporting the "truth", the whole incident was cleared up and brushed under the carpet in a matter of days however when other cultures are concerned they love to stretch out the issue and blow it out of proportion.

Directing the allegations of foot and mouth to the Chinese community was a gross error and a prime example of British xenophobia, the jokes are already circulating and as usual the British come out on top and we are the victims.

Best of Luck in clearing your name, you are fully supported by your Brothers and Sisters from your neighbouring ethnic communities, we are all victims of the same "Free" and "un-biased" British Press.

Regards,
Shakoor

We Must Fight This Together
I refer to the "Foot & Mouth Disease" by British media - putting the foot into their mouth! As you know, there have been a lot of media reports without evidence attributing the source of such disease emanating from illegally imported meat by Chinese from the Far East! There are other articles in various national papers and websites which have also enraged me because of their continuation to perpetuate racist misconceptions towards the Chinese. These communities/organisations are as follows:

1. The recent outbreak of "Foot & Mouth" disease is being blamed on the Chinese by the BBC and other media whose sensational reporting are without fact and justification!

2. An advert placed by the British Association of Investment Trust in The Times on March 14,2001 reads: "Stop! A Chinese takeaway has no long-term monetary value. Buy an investment trust instead. Sweet & sour prawns go bad. Put chopsticks away. Call for more information, not crispy wonton soup".

3. In addition to the recent insult "bestowed" on the Chinese by the above mentioned various organisations, the French not so long ago perpetuated the insult by displaying a banner "Interdit aux Chinois et aux chiens" (No admittance to Chinese and Dogs) at the Theatre de Nesle!

Why have they not done more to repudiated the sensational reporting of the foot & mouth disease by the British media and government? This apathy seems to have been ingrained in the Chinese psychic (me included of course).

We have settled in Britain for over one hundred years, but have only a few notable political figures, e.g. local Councillors, Justices of the Peace, professionals, community and business leaders to articulate our aspirations at local level but not nationally (Member of Parliament). This is probably because we are not interested in "Politics" and are too busy making a living (I am no exception)!

The days of fighting for our rights separately at local level, depending on the meagre handout from the local councils have gone. We need to be more proactive to help ourselves, harnessing the knowledge, skills and talents of our community for a fairer and just society for the Chinese in Britain. "UNITY IS POWER"! I call on all compatriots rising up to the occasion and do whatever is necessary to redress the injustice, put right the wrongs we have suffered.

Thank you.
Abe Tse